NY man pleads not guilty to murder of mom, sister, 3rd woman

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Nassau and Hempstead police investigate the scene of a homicide in Hempstead, N.Y., on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Police on Long Island are searching or a "person of interest" in the killings of three women found inside a Hempstead home. A Nassau County Police spokesman says the women died from "blunt force trauma" injuries. A fourth woman survived and his being treated at a hospital. Detective Lt. Richard Lebrun did not identify the suspect police are seeking. He did not describe the suspect. (Howard Schnapp/Newsday via AP)

By:StaffThe Associated Press Published on

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — A man accused of bludgeoning his mother, sister and another woman in a deadly hammer attack on New York's Long Island has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Bobby Vanderhall is being held without bail after his arraignment Sunday.

The 34-year-old Vanderhall was arrested Saturday on murder charges in the deaths of his mother, Lynn Reichenbach-Vanderhall; his sister, Melissa Vanderhall; and visitor Janel Simpson.

Officials said a fourth woman managed to escape and summon help.

Nassau County police say Vanderhall had a history of emotional problems, and his mother had gotten a protective order against him and had thrown him out of their Hempstead home. Police say Vanderhall used a large hammer to break through the basement door, then attacked the women.

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This story has been corrected to show that the case is being handled by Nassau County police, not Suffolk County police.